Celebrating Camp Kindness Day 2020

FIUTS Seattle Language and Culture Institute (SLCI) is an opportunity for middle and high school students (ages 13-17) from the United States and around the world to take part in a two-week global experience on the University of Washington campus. On this Camp Kindness Day, FIUTS Education Programs Coordinator, Kailyn Swarthout, reflects on a particularly kind experience with a group of 2018 SLCI participants.

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On a sunny summer day in 2018, I set out on the trails of Mt. Rainier National Park with five enthusiastic teens from three different countries. We enjoyed the scenery and the wildlife (big marmot day), chatted about all sorts of things and made some French friends. Eventually we stopped for a trailside lunch in a rare bit of shade. While we relaxed and recharged for the hike down, one of our group members, completely unprompted, suggested, “hey, why don’t we compliment every person we walk past!?” The group agreed and added that the compliments needed to be genuine and heartfelt. No phony niceness here. And so, for the remainder of our descent, our group members took turns sharing a compliment with every hiker heading uphill:

“I love your sunglasses!”

“Cool boots!”

“Your hair looks great!”

“You are such strong hikers!”

It turns out giving compliments may be an even more fulfilling experience for the compliment-giver than the receiver. My entire trail crew was beaming and bouncing by the time we returned to the bus, kind goal accomplished.

This story is just one example of the kindness SLCI students showed to each other and the community over the last four summers - they have learned to communicate across cultures, support one another, and make a difference through creative fundraising projects. We could not be more proud to recognize them as part of the FIUTS alumni community.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Seattle Language and Culture Institute has unfortunately been cancelled. This and many other memories of SLCI kindness are helping keep our spirits up until we are able to safely run SLCI 2021!